Wilson Rodriguez Garcia, 25, was arrested and charged with aggravated kidnapping after he allegedly blocked a vehicle on Cedar Avenue, forcibly removed his ex-girlfriend and drove away with her on Tuesday evening.

At around 11:30 pm on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, Knoxville Police Department officers responded to the 100 block of Atlantic Avenue for a reported kidnapping and abduction. A man told officers he was helping one of his employees retrieve clothes from her home. Several minutes later, the victim ran out of the house and told the man her ex-boyfriend, identified as Garcia, was armed with a knife.

As the man and victim drove away from the residence, Garcia drove in front of his vehicle, blocking him on Cedar Avenue. Once the vehicles stopped, Garcia exited his vehicle, forcibly removed the victim from the man’s truck and fled the scene.

Through diligent investigative efforts, the victim and Garcia were located at a motel on East Andrew Johnson Highway in Morristown. The victim was recovered safely and Garcia was taken into custody by Morristown Police Department officers. He was subsequently transported back to Knoxville.

After being questioned by KPD Violent Crime detectives, Garcia was arrested and charged with aggravated kidnapping.